News & Announcements

On Wednesday, August 9, the Three-Petals Peace Partnership — the Quaker Friends, Newman Center (Catholic), and Buddhist Study Center — joined with Hawaii Betsuin for the 8th annual candlelight peace walk to the Nagasaki Peace Bell near Honolulu Hale. The event was held on the 72nd anniversary of the atomic...

A diverse crowd of religious leaders, public officials, representatives of various Japan-Hawaii organizations, and other peace builders gathered under trees along Nuuanu Stream on August 7, 2017 for the 28th annual Hiroshima Commemoration and Peace Service. The event was hosted at Hiroshima Peace Bell by the Izumo Taishakyo Mission with...

[updated with new video links, July 27, 2017] The Buddhist Study Center (BSC) streamed video on its YouTube channel for this week’s Summer Session, July 10-14, 2017, featuring talks by Rev. Sonam Wangdi Bhutia, Head Priest – Kathmandu Hongwanji, Nepal. Videos are available on demand. Lecture 1: Life as a...

The 2017 Summer Session begins the evening of Monday, July 10 at the Buddhist Study Center, 1436 University Ave in Honolulu. This year’s guest lecturer is the Rev. Sonam Wangdi Bhutia, Head Priest of Kathmandu Hongwanji, Nepal. The session is entitled: “Shin Buddhism in the Land of Shakyamuni” On Monday...

See the May 2017 Headquarters Update for the following articles: Green Hongwanji survey results PBA graduation message from the Governor General of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist Study Center’s new website: bschawaii.org Kikyoshiki Confirmation Ceremony by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani 2017 YBICSE participants Monto Shikisho for sale at the HQ...

April 17, 2017 Posted By: adminEventsHQ UpdateComments are off for this post

See the April 2017 Headquarters Update for the following articles: Reflections on the Accession Ceremony and Pilgrimage Tour Bishop Eric Matsumoto’s Report Rev. Yuika Hasebe’s Report Kikyoshiki Confirmation Ceremony by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani YBICSE – Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange Memorial Service for the Late BDK Chairman...

Jodo Shinshu followers in Hawaii will have three opportunities in September 2017 to affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and receive a Buddhist name from Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani. The Gomonshu is the Head Priest and Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Organization....

65 Shades of Green: How much do we love our planet? A report on the Green Hongwanji Survey feedback Submitted by Dexter Mar, Green Hongwanji Committee Chair At the 2016 Hongwanji Legislative Assembly, the temples voted to try and become more environmentally responsible and, as an expression of our Buddhist...

Tomorrow, Saturday June 24, 2017, the "Ellison Onizuka: A Remembrance" exhibit will open at JCCH. There will be an opening/dedication ceremony to be held at 9 AM, with our Bishop Eric Matsumoto doing the invocation for the program. The Bishop has said it is an honor to do so, as someone who shares the same birthplace (Kona) as Ellison, and as a fellow Japanese-American and Jodo Shin Buddhist. This event is open to the public.

We will be holding a Kikyoshiki Confirmation Ceremony by His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani in September!

Confirmation Ceremony, or “Kikyoshiki”, is a solemn ceremony performed before Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin to officially confirm your entry into the Path of the Nembutsu. Participants will affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. “Buddha” is not simply in reference to Sakyamuni, but refers more importantly to Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Wisdom and Boundless Compassion. “Dharma” is the teaching of Amida’s Compassionate working to embrace all beings without any discrimination. “Sangha” refers to the community of people who have entrusted themselves to Amida Buddha and its Nembutsu teaching.

By participating in the Confirmation Ceremony, you will receive a Dharma Buddhist Name (Homyo). These names are in the form of “Shaku” and two Buddhist terms which follow. The word “Shaku” means “disciple of Sakyamuni” and signifies that the person has joined the followers of the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha, a community that transcends race or nationality.

His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani, the Head Priest and the Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Organization, will be officiating the Confirmation Ceremony at the following three locations. Please note that the Confirmation Ceremony is open to anyone throughout the State. There is no minimum or maximum age limit however the individual must be able to participate in the ceremony at the temple. We sincerely hope that you will take this wonderful opportunity and participate in the Confirmation Ceremony. Please contact your resident minister if you have any questions about this ceremony.Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin (398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo)Tuesday, September 5, 2017, 5:30pm

Jodo Shinshu followers in Hawaii will have three opportunities in September 2017 to affirm their reverence toward the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and receive a Buddhist name from Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani. The Gomonshu is the Head Priest and Spiritual Leader of the Jodo Shinshu Hon